The DeFi Sector’s Strong Rebound: PERP Leads and RIVER Extends Momentum
In the current environment, the DeFi sector’s overall recovery is becoming increasingly evident. Protocols with real trading use cases and solid liquidity are particularly favored by capital.
● PERP (Perpetual Protocol): This week’s top gainer, increasing by 106%. Perpetual Protocol is a decentralized exchange (DEX) for perpetual futures, built on Ethereum and xDai. The platform enables traders to access up to 10x leverage on assets including BTC, ETH, DOT, SNX, and YFI.
● RIVER (River): Up by 75% this week. As a complementary project within the DeFi ecosystem, River is building a chain-abstracted stablecoin system designed to connect assets, liquidity, and yield opportunities across multiple blockchains. HTX has also launched a $RIVER Earn product offering a 20% APY, further helping to diversify users’ portfolios.
The AI Sector’s Multiple Breakouts: ROBO, SAHARA, and ALICE Rise in Tandem
AI remains one of the most closely watched core narratives in the market. Overall, AI-related assets are shifting from isolated breakouts to synchronized sector-wide momentum, signaling deepening exploration of the AI and Crypto integration pathways.
● ROBO (Fabric Protocol): Up by 79% this week. Fabric is one of the most talked-about AI projects recently. As a representative initiative combining AI and robotics technologies, it has drawn broad attention to the Openmind ecosystem. As AI applications extend from software into physical-world scenarios, related concept assets may carry expanded growth potential.
● SAHARA (Sahara AI): Up by 72% this week. Sahara AI is the first AI-native, full-stack blockchain platform, where anyone can create, contribute to, and monetize AI development, making the future of AI more accessible, equitable, and open to all. As the convergence of computing power, models, and on-chain data accelerates, AI infrastructure and computing networks warrant continued attention.
● ALICE (My Neighbor Alice): Up by 45% this week. My Neighbor Alice is a multiplayer builder game where users can buy and own virtual islands, collect and trade NFTs, and socialize with other players. The game draws inspiration from successful titles such as Animal Crossing.
Memecoin and Layer1 Sectors’ Recovery: BEBE and ESP Stand Out
● BEBE: The memecoin sector showed a notable rebound this week, with BEBE rising by 86%. BEBE is an AI-driven cryptocurrency and GameFi project. Memecoins often demonstrate high elasticity during sentiment recovery phases, making them key vehicles for short-term capital rotation.
● ESP (Espresso): As a representative Layer 1 asset, ESP gained 77% this week. Espresso serves as a global confirmation layer, providing fast and reliable transaction confirmations supported by BFT consensus for Layer 2 chains. The expansion of public chain ecosystems and rising developer activity are becoming key drivers of valuation recovery.
Multi-Sector Rotation Takes Shape as Structural Recovery Continues
Looking back at the week of February 23 to March 2, assets on the HTX platform reflected improving risk appetite and strong performance among high-elastic tokens. AI and DeFi emerged as core narratives, while the Layer 1 and memecoin sectors advanced in parallel, signaling a shift from structural rallies toward a broader market recovery.
As AI applications deepen, DeFi functionality evolves, and infrastructure upgrades progress, the next phase of market leadership may become clearer. Rotational opportunities across high-quality assets in multiple sectors are likely to persist. HTX will continue to cherry pick premium assets across key sectors to help users capture emerging market opportunities.
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The post first appeared on HTX Square.
